Shoe having an elastic heel

ABSTRACT

A shoe has an elastic heel which is formed of an elastic member. The elastic member is made of a material of a predetermined shape by bending. The elastic member is capable of deformation to provide a spring force for supporting and soothing the foot heel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a shoe, and more particularly to a shoe having an elastic heel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Certain conventional shoe has a sole which is provided with springs or air pads for providing a wearing comfort. However, such a soothing effect is less apparent if the heel of the shoe is provided with springs or air pads. In addition, the shoe heel is provided with a buffer effect, which is less effective in soothing the foot as compared with the elastic effect. Moreover, the shoe heel is generally monotonous in profile, thereby undermining the marketing potential of the shoe heel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a shoe having an elastic heel capable of soothing the foot.

[0004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a shoe having an elastic heel simple in construction and versatile in form.

[0005] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a shoe having an elastic heel of an excellent compatibility.

[0006] The shoe of the present invention comprises a sole, an upper heel portion, and a lower heel portion. Located between the upper heel portion and the lower heel portion is a space. An elastic member is disposed between the upper heel portion and the lower heel portion.

[0007] The features and functions of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the present invention in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a sectional view taken along a line 2-2 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a steel piece of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the steel piece of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 1 to show the shoe in use.

[0013]FIG. 6 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention on trial.

[0014]FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention without the outer covering member.

[0015]FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention having an S-shaped steel piece.

[0016]FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention having an O-shaped steel piece.

[0017]FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the steel bar elastic member of the present invention including the covering member.

[0018]FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the steel bar elastic member of FIG. 10 and the carrying member.

[0019]FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of single steel bar of the present invention including the covering member.

[0020]FIG. 13 is a side plan view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show that the heel is of an S-shaped construction.

[0021]FIG. 14 shows a side view of the heel body of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 15 is an exploded view of members of FIG. 14.

[0023]FIG. 16 is a spread view of a material of the covering member of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a fixation piece of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 18 shows a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention provided with only the elastic steel piece.

[0026]FIG. 19 is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the steel piece enclosing only the entire bottom plate.

[0027]FIG. 20 shows another embodiment state of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the steel piece enclosing only the entire bottom plate.

[0028]FIG. 21 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the C-shaped heel portion.

[0029]FIG. 22 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the -shaped heel portion.

[0030]FIG. 23 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the round heel portion.

[0031]FIG. 24 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention to show the flat round heel portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a shoe embodied in the present invention has an elastic heel and comprises the following components.

[0033] A sole 10 has a shank portion 11, an upper heel portion 13 and a lower heel portion 15 attached to the upper heel portion 13. The rear end of the sole 10 is separated to enable the upper heel portion 13 and the lower heel portion 15 to be of L-shaped construction such that a space is formed therebetween. The upper heel portion 13 and the lower heel portion 15 are provided in opposite inner sides with a recessed portion 17.

[0034] An elastic member 30 is a spring steel piece having L shape, a pressed portion 31, an elastic bending portion 33, and a bottom support portion 35. The elastic member 30 is disposed in the recessed portion 17. The spring steel piece is made by punching and pressing in conjunction with heat treatment. The spring steel piece has a predetermined spring force.

[0035] A covering member 50 is similar in shape to the rear portion of the sole 10 and is adhered to the upper heel portion 13, the lower heel portion 15, and the outer surface of the elastic member 30.

[0036] An upper 70 is located over the sole 10 such that the upper 70 covers the sole 10.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper heel portion 13 is exerted on by most of body weight of a shoe wearer via the heel 8. As a result, the pressed portion 31 is slightly deformed in relation to the elastic bending portion 33. In other words, the pressed portion 31 is caused to displace in relation to the bottom support portion 35, thereby providing a sufficient spring force support force and up-and-down elastic motion according to the magnitude of force exerting thereon. As a result, the foot-soothing effect is brought about. The excitement of brain and body is thus alleviated.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the shoe is similar in form to the preceding embodiment, with the exception being that its rear portion is of a C-shaped construction, thereby resulting in formation of an upper press portion 81 and a lower press portion 83, which are separated by an interval H. The excessive weight of a person forces the upper press portion 81 to go down to reach the lower press portion 83. Accordingly, this trial can be used to determine if the shoe is suitable for the person.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the shoe does not comprise the covering member 50 of the preceding embodiment, thereby enabling the elastic curved piece 30 to be visible. As shown in FIG. 8, the elastic member 30A is of an S-shaped construction. The elastic piece 30B may be of an O-shaped construction, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0040] In this embodiment, the elastic member may be made of an elastic steel bar 60 by bending. The elastic steel bar 60 is enclosed in the sole which is made of a rubber material, as shown in FIG. 10. A carrying member 66 may be provided along with the elastic member which has symmetrical left side and right side. For a person of lightweight, the shoe may be provided with single steel bar, as shown in FIG. 12. The steel piece elastic member of the preceding embodiment may be completely enclosed by this mode.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 13-17, a shoe of another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a sole 1OA, a heel 20, and an upper 70A. The sole lOA is not confined to be of any specific shape and is provided in the rear portion thereof with a fixation member 13A which is in turn provided with a plurality of fixation holes 15A. The screws 19 are fastened onto the heel 20 via the fixation holes 15A.

[0042] The heel 20 is of an S-shaped construction and is provided with an elastic member 30A, a covering member 40, and a bottom plate 50A.

[0043] The elastic member 30A is made of steel piece by bending and is provided at one end with a fastening portion 31A having a plurality of threaded holes 32A, an elastic bending portion 33A, and a bottom support portion 35A, and a warp end 37A.

[0044] The covering member 40 is a flat straight plate of a predetermined thickness and is made of EVA. The covering member 40 is provided with a recessed portion 43 for receiving one side of the elastic member 30A.

[0045] The bottom plate 50A covers other side of the elastic member 30A opposite to the covering member 40. The bottom plate 50A is made of rubber or other materials and is in contact with the ground surface.

[0046] In light of the warp end 37A of the elastic member 30A, the tail end of the bottom of the heel 20 is provided with a safety portion 25 preventing the heel 20 from catching an article which may cause a shoe wearer to trip or fall.

[0047] The elastic member of this embodiment may be made of steel bar by bending. The heel is fused with the sole by various forms, such as adhesive fusion.

[0048] The present invention may be provided with only the elastic member 30A, as shown in FIG. 18. The elastic member 30A is provided in one side with only one bottom plate 50A without the covering member, as shown in FIG. 19. The elastic member may be provided with one bottom plate 50B corresponding to the ground surface, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0049] The shapes of the heel of the present invention are not limited to those which were described in the preceding embodiments. The heel 20B has a C shape, as shown in FIG. 21. The heel 20B is fastened with the sole by bolts which are put through the elastic member to engage the threaded holes of the fixation piece of the sole.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 22, the heel 20C has a shape similar to the symbol of algebraic sum. The heel 20D has a round frame shape, as shown in FIG. 23. The heel 20E has a flat round frame shape, as shown in FIG. 24. These heels are capable of absorbing shock.

[0051] The present invention has advantages. In the first place, the shoe of the present invention has an elastic heel which is provided with the elastic member capable of soothing the foot. In addition, the elastic heel of the present invention is versatile in design. The versatile design of the elastic heel of the shoe of the present invention is enhanced by the elastic member as well as covering members of various designs.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe having an elastic heel, comprising: a sole provided at a rear end with an upper heel portion, a lower heel portion, and a space located between said upper heel portion and said lower heel portion; an upper connecting said sole; and an elastic member having a pressed portion and a bottom support portion, which are respectively connected with said upper heel portion and said lower heel portion of said sole, and an elastic bending portion connecting said pressed portion and said bottom support portion, wherein said elastic curved portion have some portion locate in the space between said pressed portion and bottom support portion of said sole.
 2. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper heel portion of said sole is connected at a rear end with a rear end of said lower heel portion.
 3. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper heel portion of said sole is separated at a rear end thereof from a rear end of said lower heel portion.
 4. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper heel portion of said sole and said lower heel portion are provided with a recessed portion to accommodate said elastic member.
 5. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is enclosed by said upper heel portion and said lower heel portion of said sole.
 6. The shoe as defined in claim 1 further comprising a covering member for shielding an exposed portion of said elastic member.
 7. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic member is provided at a tail end of the bottom support portion with a warp end.
 8. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic member has a shape similar to the symbol of algebraic sum.
 9. The shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic member has an S shape.
 10. A shoe having an elastic heel, comprising: a sole for supporting the human foot sole; an upper connecting said sole; a heel having an elastic member which is sequentially formed of a fastening portion, an elastic bending portion and a bottom support portion, said fastening portion being fastened with said sole such that said fastening portion is corresponding in location to the foot heel, said elastic bending portion capable of deformation enabling said fastening portion and said bottom support portion to displace in relation to each other, said bottom support portion supporting a portion corresponding in location to the ground surface.
 11. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said heel has a bottom plate which is fastened to a portion of said elastic member such that said bottom plate is opposite to the ground surface.
 12. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said bottom plate is fastened with a portion of said elastic member, with said portion being corresponding in location to the ground surface.
 13. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said heel has a covering member which covers said elastic member.
 14. The shoe as defined in claim 13, wherein said covering member is provided with a recessed portion for accommodating said elastic member.
 15. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said bottom support portion of said elastic member of said heel is provided with a warp end.
 16. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said elastic member has a C shape.
 17. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said elastic member has a shape similar to the symbol of algebraic sum.
 18. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said elastic member has an S shape.
 19. The shoe as defined in claim 10, wherein said elastic member has an O shape. 